For those of you that used the copper ring method to ground the elements (technically, to ground the kettle), what is the advantage to using the copper ring versus just attaching the ground to the element base?

I have been a big fan of this system since I first saw Jkarp's picture. I have also been helping a friend decide how to start brewing (see this thread).

He has finally decided to go with a modified Brutus 20/Jkarp system. I have called it the Twent-E2 because it is a Brutus 20 two-vessel system, that is all E-lectric, and it is two-tier like Jkarp's design.

Anyway, here it is. If anyone sees a flaw or anything, please let me know because Jeremy said he is going to start buying stuff this week!

Here is a Sketchup model of how the stand and console will look:

It is a two-tier painted-steel frame from 1 inch square tubing. The two 8 gallon (32 qt) pots are tamale pots found here.

He will use a grain bag and the provided steamer tray for a FB.

Here is the purchase order, $934.32 all told including supplies for a start-up brewery:

I have a (perhaps unfounded) fear of pumping from the bottom of the MLT though. What would a stuck or slow runoff do in this configuration? How would you correct? I had the same concern with Lonnie's original design too...

It is a legitimate concern. However, I am a single tier guy, so I pump from my mash every time I brew. I really never have stuck sparges, and especially with BIAB and a thin mash, I really doubt compacted grain bed will be a problem. If a stuck sparge does occur (heaven forbid ) the solution is to take the hose off the pump inlet and drain into a bucket or blow into the hose to restore flow. Basically, you want to run the pump slowly and avoid sticking the sparge That is way easier.

My knee jerk thoughts: Do you have to limit yourself to one 120v element, or can you use 240v? The 8 gal pots strike me as an odd choice for size. With one element, you will not get full 5 gal batches, so the 8 gal pots might be a bit overkill. It will help you on the MLT so you can do bigger beers, but you will be boiling down to about 3.7 or 4 gallons in an 8 gal BK. If you think you may add another element in the future to the BK, the 8 gallon MLT will then limit you to somewhat smaller beers in an 8 gal MLT. I built my system with an 8 gal BK and a 10 gal MLT and am discovering the limits of my system for 5-5.5 gal batches.

I just saw you want to use a 1500w element, this will limit you even more to smaller batches. If you are going to spend close to a grand on this system, I would want it to be able to do bigger batches, but that is just me.